Bentota is a coastal town in Sri Lanka and is an excellent tourist destination. With a sugar-soft beach, iconic coconut trees, and picturesque landscapes, it is one of the best holiday spots in Sri Lanka.
A kick-backed, relaxing day around Deduwa Lake is one of the nicest things to do in Bentota. You can walk through the cinnamon and rubber plantations, have a drink in a boat house or enjoy a swim in the beautiful lake.
Beruwala Harbour
Beruwala Harbour is one of the best places in Sri Lanka to experience traditional coastal life. Located on the west coast, it has been a popular port for merchant vessels for centuries.
Early mornings are the best times to enjoy a stroll around the bustling fishing harbour where brightly coloured boats return from night-time fishing in the deep sea. They are lined up along the beach and their catch is sold at the colourful fish market that opens at six in the morning.
Local restaurants are a great place to try some delicious fresh seafood from Beruwala Harbour, with menus proffering everything from lobsters and parrotfish to tiger prawns and cuttlefish. A few charming beachside cafes also serve up a hearty meal with views of the ocean.
Another top attraction in Beruwala is Golden Mile Beach where you can indulge in water sports like parasailing, jet skiing and windsurfing. A wide variety of tour operators offer these activities at a cost-effective rate.
Boat Safari
Bentota is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular beach resorts which offers pristine beaches, diving sites, water sports centres, restaurants, bars, cafes, markets, temples and historical monuments.
As a result, it attracts a large number of travellers from all over the world. This has a negative effect on the nature of Madu River estuary and its wildlife.
Fortunately, there are still plenty of opportunities to witness the amazing aquatic species and animals at the Bentota River. You can get an opportunity to see crocodiles in their natural habitat, along with many other exotic bird and animal species, including snakes and monitor lizards.
This is a very relaxing and fascinating boat trip which lasts for 2 hours, taking you through the mangrove forest of the Bentota River. This is a great way to spend your holiday time, away from the crowds and noise. It is a perfect day out for all ages! It is a must-do activity when you visit Bentota.
Lunuganga Estate
The iconic country home of Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, Lunuganga Estate is a testament to his timeless aesthetics of tropical living. Located on the banks of Dedduwa Lake, the 15-acre estate originally served as a cinnamon plantation during the Dutch and a rubber plantation during the British period.
Aside from its elegant main house, the Lunuganga Estate also features several other buildings that reflect the unique architectural style of Bawa. His philosophy emphasized the importance of blending modernist design elements with traditional Sri Lankan design elements to create spaces that complement and enhance their natural surroundings.
As a result, the estate consists of themed gardens that feature a wide range of plants and trees. Its landscapes are a perfect example of how modernist design principles can be seamlessly blended with the natural environment to create a space that is both stunning and serene.
Kande Vihare Temple
Founded in 1734, Kande Vihare Temple is an archaeological monument and one of the main attractions in Bentota. It also features a tall sitting Buddha statue which attracts many locals and tourists alike.
- The temple is a perfect place for Buddhist worship and has gained a reputation as the largest sitting Buddha in Sri Lanka. It’s a great spot to visit if you’re looking for tranquility while on vacation in Bentota.
- There’s a lot to see at the temple, including a 48-m/160-foot-tall seated Buddha and an image house embellished with floral and creeper designs. Other attractions include a Relic Chamber and a museum that showcases antiquities and ancient books.
- The Relic Chamber is believed to be the oldest building in the temple. The entranceway is marked by a moonstone and the walls of the chamber are covered with Kandyan Era mosaics. The inner and outer chambers are filled with relics of Lord Buddha.
